Strength Training Periodization

There are numberous factors to take into consideration when designing a strength training program for a collegiate team.  The annual plan starts the day after the last competition of the season to the last competition of the next season.  A strength coach must take into account what type of sport it is, when is the pre-season and for how long, how long is the season, are there any breaks in between, semesters, post season, and championships.  The main stages of the annual plan are the rejuvenation stages, the development stages, and the competitive season.  The rejuvenation stage consists of the post season as well as the off season.  This lasts roughly from 2-8 weeks.  In this stage, some general conditioning should be the main focus along with a resistance training program.  The developmental stage comprises of the spring, summer, fall, and winter.  This lasts anywhere from 18 to 30 weeks.  The objective in this stage is to enhance the athlete’s fitness, flexibility, conditioning, strength, agility, and speed.  Lastly, the competitive season is the pre season, in season, and championship season.   The competitive stage is to increase the athlete’s sport specific skills as well as to maintain strength.  These are the general stages of the yearly plan when designing a strength training program.